Larry Bird returning to Indiana Pacers as president of basketball operations

Larry Bird arrives for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in Springfield in 2010. He was inducted that year as part of the 1992 Olympics Dream Team.Republican file photo by Don Treeger

By MICHAEL MAROT
INDIANAPOLIS — Larry Bird will be re-introduced to the media Thursday morning as the Pacers' president of basketball operations.

The team confirmed the move Wednesday.

It's hardly a surprise. The Boston Celtics Hall of Famer has been attending draft workouts regularly with the Pacers top executives this month and had been said to have shown interest in a front office job with Sacramento, too.

Bird constructed the team that pushed Miami to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals this month, but left the franchise last summer. He says he has now had time to reflect, rest and take care of some health issues.

Donnie Walsh, who succeeded Bird in that role, will become a consultant to the team.